Sporting Gun

Points of return

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I have a 16-month-old vizsla that is both a family pet and my first gundog. One problem I’m having is that he breaks point to come and stand beside me. This isn’t a blinking problem, he hunts very hard and enthusiast­iclly and does not ignore bird scent whatsoever. He is not gun shy, has no fear of picking up birds, and we are getting there with retrieves. The other issue is his complete aversion to the check cord. When he sees it in the field, even if it’s not on him, he completely shuts down and won’t hunt. As soon as it’s put away, he runs hard and with confidence. Is there any advice you can give to help steady him and keep him on point? It really seems that he is showing me the bird, but then just trying to be overly obedient.

Graham says:

I suspect the fear of the check cord and leaving a point to come stand beside you are related. The vizsla, generally, is a pretty sensitive dog. This has some good points, and some not so good.

The good part is that the breed learns quickly and they try hard to please. The bad part is that they learn things you don’t want them to learn just as quickly, or even more quickly than things you want them to learn. Learning is even faster and more permanent if there is something fearful involved.

I don’t know what happened to make your dog fearful of the check cord. It might have got tangled around his feet so he couldn’t move, or you may have pulled him up short if he ran in. It could be any one of countless things that he somehow associates badly with the long line.

Whatever it is, he has put two and two together and figures the check cord, or any long line, means something either hurts or frightens him. There’s a chance you will never get him over his lack of confidence in the check cord and I would suggest that it is this sensitivit­y that is causing him to leave his point. But don’t lose heart. With patience and careful handling you could well overcome the problem.

Next time he comes up on point try and get to him as quickly – and quietly – as possible and stand next to him while he holds point. Slowly build up the time he stays on “hold”. It will do his confidence a power of good.

 ??  ?? The vizsla is a sensitive dog and tries hard to please
The vizsla is a sensitive dog and tries hard to please

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